What kind of therapy is right for me?

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You have a moment, an episode, a little word with yourself and you’re forced to acknowledge you need some help. Something needs to change. That in itself is a big deal, you should feel good that you have admitted there’s a problem that needs fixing but what’s the next step? Where do you go from here? Is therapy something you can afford to do?...is it something you can afford NOT to do?

 

A quick Google with show you everything from Goat Therapy (seriously it’s a thing) to the Talk Therapies that are more mainstream. Good Therapy can literally change your life but there are so many out there that it’s tough to even know where to start so here is a quick look at your two main options and a rough figure of the cost involved.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is probably the main type of therapy you’d be offered on the NHS, it focuses on changing negative patterns of thinking and behaviour. It is often used to treat anxiety and depression, but can also be effective in treating other mental health conditions.

 

Here’s an example: Joe has a fear of public speaking. He gets up to talk at work but straight away his mind screams "I'm going to mess up" and he breaks, sits back down and mumbles his idea into his coffee. CBT will aim to teach Joe coping strategies to manage his anxiety. It might begin by starting with small wins like telling a joke in the pub with friends, then mentioning a new tactic to his whole team in the changing room at Sunday League, over time, the person can learn to reframe their negative thoughts and feel more confident and then one day give a killer presentation to his new boss.

 

The cost of CBT in the UK can vary depending on the provider but many people can get it free on the NHS, the first step is to make an appointment and speak to your GP. Alternatively, you can find a private therapist which will usually range from around £40-100 per session.

 

Cognitive Hypnotherapy (CHT): Okay stop, this is not a case of swinging pocket watches and people clucking like chickens, it’s actually one of the most effective forms of therapy out there at the moment. A CHT practitioner helps you enter a state of deep relaxation where the unconscious mind is more receptive. You know when you drive somewhere you’ve been a hundred times but you don’t really remember any of the journey? Your brain probably slipped into Alpha State sort of “zoned out” but still functioning, this state is where a CHT practitioner will get you…no clucking required.

 

Let’s go back to Joe and his fear of public speaking: CHT will help Joe by finding out WHY he is so scared of speaking out. In the session after a little digging and prompting Joe talks about a teacher that was a real dick and laughed when Joe read out loud in class. The therapist might help Joe deal with that episode and remove the root of the fear in his unconscious programming. This can be a hugely beneficial process.

 

Essentially CHT will help someone overcome issues by identifying negative thought patterns and beliefs and use “hypnosis” to help the person defuse (un-hypnotise) those negative beliefs.

 

The therapist will probably also teach you self-hypnosis and other coping strategies to manage your issues in everyday life. With a little practice, you can learn to access these resources and feel more in control.

 

There’s obviously a lot more to both of these Therapies but now you have a little insight into what they entail. Which one will work best for you? That one’s on you I’m afraid but know that even little steps like reading this article, talking to a few friends or making an appointment with the GP are all steps forward in improving your mental health.